Pinoy fisherman drifting in WPS rescued by Chinese fishermen

CHINESE fishermen rescued a Filipino fisherman who has been drifting in the West Philippine Sea for eight days after his boat capsized.

The military’s Western Command (Wescom) named the rescued fisherman as Rosalon Cayon, 31, a resident of Barangay Liberty in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

On its Facebook page, Wescom said Cayon and another Filipino fisherman, identified only as Junior, went fishing on December 20 in the West Philippine Sea on separate boats.

Citing the account of Cayon, Wescom said the fisherman’s boat capsized on December 23 about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Barangay Buliluyan in Bataraza town after sustaining a hole in its hull.

“He drifted away from Junior and hung on to a piece of styrofoam to stay afloat,” Wescom said.

“After eight days (or on December 31) at sea, Cayon was spotted and rescued by a sampan – a Chinese small fishing boat,” added Wescom.

Wescom said the Chinese fishermen brought Cayon to the Philippine-occupied Rizal Reef where Filipino troops are treating and taking care of him.

“Wescom has already notified Mr. Cayon’s family that he is safe and in stable condition under the care of troops manning the RRD (Rizal Reef Detachment),” Wescom said.

“Additionally, the Command is already coordinating plans for the Filipino fisherman’s evacuation and safe return home,” Wescom also said.